Essential Information for Ecuador

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Know this essential information on Ecuador

This section covers everything you need to know about passports, visas, weather conditions and your personal health. It also lets you in on a few safety tips. Every visitor to Ecuador needs to know these essentials.

Visa and Passports

Most countries are allowed to enter Ecuador without a visa, however people from these countries will be required to bring a passport that is valid for at least six months after the end of their journey. They will be allowed to visit the country for up to 90 days. For reciprocity reasons, citizens of the following countries will require a visa to enter Ecuador: Afghanistan, Algeria Bangladesh, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Nicaragua, North Korea, South Korea, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Taiwan, Tunisia, Vietnam, Yemen and Members of the Sikh Sect.

When to go

Regardless of its closeness to the equator, Ecuador spans three dissimilar climates (coast, sierra and jungle) that keep everyone guessing. Ecuador has two distinct seasons: the dry winter from June to September and the wet summer from December to March. The best time to visit the highland areas is during winter, when the skies are clearer and drier conditions makes for happier hiking and trekking. The Amazon, on the other hand, is always wet and warm with up to 77% humidity - even in the dry season. Ecuador’s high seasons are generally linked to their festivals which are around Christmas (December – January), Easter (June) and Independence Day (July). Most prices go up during the high season and most places are really crowded. You should make reservations well in advance if you are planning to go during this time of year.

Health and Safety

Your personal safety should not be at risk nor should your health while traveling in Ecuador. You should, however, try to blend in with the crowd to avoid unwanted attention. Never admit that you are traveling alone and if you feel at all uncomfortable in a region you should leave it as promptly and directly as possible. Avoid poorly lit alleys and passageways at night, stick to well lit places. A few public toilets are prone to flooding if you try to flush toilet paper. Most restrooms have wastebaskets nearby in which to dispose of used tissue. In most areas, wastebaskets have covers and are cleaned every day. Always carry a small roll of toilet paper with you as it may not be provided. Drinking tap water is not advisable anywhere in Ecuador, so drink only bottled or boiled water or soft drinks. If you are unable to find bottled drinks or to boil water, you can make water safer by both using a water-purifier that removes both bacteria and viruses and adding iodine tablets to the filtered water.

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